Here it is! Another chapter! The usual stuff - don't own, don't make money from it, blah blah blah. Belongs to others - however i can make claim to my own enjoyment the worlds they created, even if i didn't create them.
Chapter 4 – Getting that cup
Harry and Hermione had returned from Diagon Alley later than they expected, but luckily Sirius had done an amazing job of keeping everyone occupied cleaning the drawing room which was full of dangerous items and telling the others that they were sorting through the library. Everyone seemed to have accepted it and weren't surprised when they had seen them exiting the library at the same time they had done some of the drawing room. Kreacher was being more helpful this time, though he still requested whether he could keep some of the things they were throwing out. Sirius obliged as long as the items weren't dark, as he now knew what could happen if he was mean to Kreacher.
Harry had also gone to remove the boggart that had occupied the desk. He was both pleased and worried that his boggart was still a Dementor. The portrait of Mrs Black was apparently stumping everyone except Hermione and Sirius, as no one had any idea as to why or how she had her curtains open and wasn't screaming her head off.
The result was that, within a week, Grimmauld Place was as clean as it had been during the horcrux hunt, and was now actually warm and inviting, as much as a House of Black could be.
Harry had told Maddie about the horcrux and Gringotts reaction, and told her that they would be dealing with the account manager. This meant that, when they got to Hogwarts, they would be able to destroy three of them. Maddie had been impressed with how they had gotten the goblins to be allies, and told them that she would meet them on the train.
Harry had been doing his best to hang out with Ron and while it was working, he was still finding it difficult to spend too much time with him and not think of what he had done. It was getting easier, and Harry knew he would have to make sure that Ron never felt the need to leave.
It was a week later that they felt the mirrors heat up and saw Ragnok's face. "We're ready to complete the search of the vault. All we need now is for the vault manager to be dealt with, then we'll be ready to go in." Harry nodded "We'll be there soon." He disconnected the mirror and left to find Sirius. Hermione checked their weapons and finished as Harry walked back in with Sirius. He wrapped them both in a hug "Be careful – I've already lost you once and I don't want to lose you again." Harry nodded and grabbed Hermione's hand before they opened a portal straight into the board room.
Ragnok was sat with Griphook quietly discussing something when they looked up to see Harry and Hermione arrive. If they were surprised, they didn't show it. "Here's the file on the account manager. We need it to look like he had an accident, otherwise you'll gain the suspicion of both the ministry and most likely Voldemort as well." Hermione grabbed the file while Harry turned to Ragnok. "How is it the Lestranges have a human account manager?"
"The Lestrange family is a very old family. At the time, they gave a lot of money to Gringotts with the clause that they would have human managers. Gringotts could choose the account manager, but they just had to be human." Harry nodded and looked at the case file.
He didn't recognise the picture of the man, but that didn't mean that he wasn't a Death Eater. While the man was a pureblood, and had been in Slytherin, it was obvious that he had no problems with dealing within the non-magical world. He had dealings with the Bank of England as well as HSBC, and had stocks in the London Stock Exchange. "We'll deal with him."
It was an hour later that Harry and Hermione found themselves outside the London Stock Exchange. Hermione was set up with an M110 SASS while Harry was looking for their target. They had called him and managed to convince him to come in as he had problems with his stocks but they could only be fixed if he came in. They had set themselves up above the Topshop opposite, as the man came through the same route and exited at St. Pauls Station.
"Target spotted. Turning left" Hermione moved slightly. Harry did the same "521 is coming" Hermione tapped the trigger guard twice, telling Harry she was ready. It was a few seconds later that he said "Take the shot" that she fired one round.
Down on the street, the man moved to the side of the kerb. He was annoyed as the new stocks he had purchased had apparently not gone through, and he was now coming in late on Friday. He jerked, along with everyone else on the kerb, as the light above him exploded and stepped back into the road, right into the path of the 521 bus. The bus was travelling too fast and hit him, sending him flying about five feet before he landed, where the bus ran over him again.
Harry and Hermione quickly packed up and dropped down the street, casting a glamour which put them in police uniforms. They ran across the street and as Harry moved everyone back, Hermione injected him with a unique poison that kept him in a coma and eventually he would die. As more police and paramedics arrived, Harry cast a removal and glamour spell on the brickwork and they moved down an alley, opening the portal and arriving back at Gringotts.
Ragnok and Griphook were still in the same room, but now the rest of the room was filled with other goblins, all with armour and carrying spears. "Has the manager been dealt with?" Hermione nodded "He caught a bus." For some reason Ragnok and Griphook found that funny.
Harry raised an eyebrow at Ragnok and looked around the room "These goblins will help us search the vault, with a couple outside keeping the dragon from attacking us." Harry could feel Hermione bristle "A dragon? You keep a dragon underground?" Ragnok didn't even blink "Yes. It is the security for our oldest and most secure vaults." Hermione was going to retort when Harry held his hand out.
[Hermione, I know you hate it, so do I, but right now we need the goblins and we need them as our allies] Hermione frowned [They have a dragon trapped!] Harry nodded [I know. We'll discuss it with them and do what we can for the dragon] They turned back to see amusement and curiosity coming from the two goblins.
"You know; I've never actually met two bonded people" Harry just managed to keep the surprised look off his face. "How do you know we're bonded?" Ragnok chuckled "It was obvious that you two were talking mentally, but you don't look tired or exhausted at all. You would expect some kind of exertion, as mental projection and talking takes quite a bit of magical energy." Harry chuckled "You got us there. Shall we go?" Ragnok nodded and gestured for them to move to the carts.
The trip down was nothing short of exhilarating. The speeds they reached was as fast as when they dive bombed. As they got lower, the air got hotter and they could hear a growl. Sadly, the ride came to an end and they all dismounted. They followed the path and turning the corner stopped short.
A large dragon, a Ukrainian Ironbelly was tethered to the floor. Scales had developed sores or fallen away revealing the flesh beneath. Its eyes were a milky pink and there were scars all over the body. Harry watched as the goblins reached into a bag and pulled out strange devices. As they went to move them, Hermione moved forward. "Miss!" one of the goblins went to move after her, but Harry stopped him.
As Hermione approached the dragon, it turned its head towards her and let out a loud roar. Hermione didn't even flinch but instead held her hand out. {Stop – I'm a friend} The goblins looked surprised – Hermione had made snarling and growling sounds, but Harry understood her. They had learnt how to communicate to dragons without forcing themselves into their minds – Hermione had learnt how to speak to snakes as well the same way.
The dragon sat up as much as it could, turning its head so it could look at Hermione. {A Speaker. You are not the creatures that enslave me. Why are you here?} Hermione licked her lips, nervous but trying not to let it show. {We are here to remove a dangerous item from one of the vaults. It is also a dark object which is providing an evil person who hunts and destroys creatures like yourself the ability to live forever.} She moved closer and crouched on the floor. {With your permission, I would also like to heal your wounds, and I and my mate will try to get you your freedom.}
The dragon said nothing for a while, making everyone more and more nervous. Eventually the dragon lowered its head. {Very well.} Hermione let out a sigh and moved forward. [Harry, I need your help here] Harry moved forward, and the other goblins watched in fascination. "What do you need?"
Hermione was holding her hand up, taking a reading of the dragon. "I need you to go around and heal the sores over her body. I'm going to fix her eyesight. I promised her that we would get her freedom." Harry nodded and placed his hand on her left foreleg, where a large sore was. The moment it started healing, the dragon let out a rumble of appreciation.
{What is your name, o great one?} Harry said, moving onto the next sore. Hermione had climbed up the other leg and was performing a diagnostic on her eyes. {My name is Tayzze. What is yours?} Harry looked up at her. {I am Harry, and my mate is Hermione. We are Dragon Riders, who are named Ophelia and Polonius.} Tayzze's eyes lit up {You are Dragon Riders? I have not seen any Riders since I was captured and brought down here. I am glad you are here – the Riders have always been kind and honourable to us} Hermione chuckled {We hope not to break that trend with you}
The goblins watched, fascinated as Harry slowly moved around Tayzze's body healing all the sores while Hermione hung off her horn near her eye. Hermione turned her head towards Ragnok. "Have you got any ale?" Ragnok turned and gave a sharp order to one of the goblins, who took off. "May I approach?" He watched as Hermione turned towards the dragon and spoke to it, who replied immediately. Hermione turned back and nodded.
Ragnok waited until the goblin returned with the ale before walking over. He was quickly stood next to the dragon and threw the ale up to Hermione, who started mixing potions and ingredients into the ale. He studied the dragon up close, an opportunity that he had never had before. He couldn't believe how easily these two had gotten the dragon to not only stay calm, but allow them to climb over her.
Hermione soon had finished {You'll need to tip your head back so I can pore this down your throat. It will numb the pain but also help with the healing process.} She held on and tilted as Tayzze lifted her head before pouring it down her throat. {This will sting, I'm sorry} Tayzze shook her head {It is ok – I trust you.} Hermione put her hand next to the eye and started murmuring. Tayzze started growling and gouging the floor, sending the goblin guards into a panic. Ragnok stopped one of them from moving forward to attack the dragon and watched as Hermione spent five minutes healing.
Once she was done, Hermione moved her hand away. She pulled out a pepper-up potion and drank it. {Try opening your eye} Tayzze slowly opened her eye, revealing a clear purple colour. Hermione watched as the eye looked around {You did it! Thank you} Hermione smiled and dropped, moving around and climbing up to the other side and repeating the process. It wasn't long before she was done, and Tayzze opened her eyes to clearly look around the cavern that had been her home for the last three hundred years in what seemed to be a very long time.
She turned her head to look at Harry and Hermione, who were stood nearby. {Thank you, both of you. I am in your debt.} Harry smiled {There is no debt between friends, and what we have done isn't enough to make up for the suffering you have had. We will do what we can to get you free as soon as possible.} Tayzze dropped her head {Then I shall wait for you.} She moved to the side and allowed them to walk past. She growled at the goblins as they moved past but did nothing else. Ragnok walked up to them.
"I am impressed – how did you manage that?" Harry turned to look at him "We talked to her and told her who we are. It's some of the skills we learnt" Ragnok nodded, knowing better than to ask any more questions. "We also promised her to get her freedom. We can talk about it with you later" Ragnok nodded again and stopped in front of a vault.
"This is the vault." He pulled a strange device out. "These vaults are very old, and are protected by various charms. While with the lower vaults I have the ability to open them without the key, these older vaults, of which one of them is your family one Mr Potter, cannot be opened without the key. As such, I had to apply to the European Region Gringotts for this, which will allow us to open the door. Of course, I didn't apply with a paper trail – last thing we need if for Voldemort to learn of this" He placed the device on the door and stepped back. Nothing happened for a few seconds before the device clicked and the door slowly opened.
The vault was full of various treasures and gold. Harry whistled at the sight of it. "Believe it or not, Mr Potter, but your family vault is even bigger." Ragnok muttered from behind them. "Now, I believe we are here to find the cup?" Harry nodded. "Very well. Make sure not to touch the treasure; it has Gemino and Flagrante Curses on it. We will most likely have to cancel them when we find the cup." He turned and gave an order in Gobbledegook to which the main guard replied and then they all turned and faced outwards from the door.
They spent about five minutes searching before they heard Griphook call out "I believe I found it" they all rushed over, and both Harry and Hermione exclaimed when they saw the small cup with the Hufflepuff Badger on it. Hermione pulled her wand out and started performing the counter-curse. She then lifted Harry using the Wingardium Leviosa where Harry grabbed the cup, replaced it with a replica with a similar magical signature before being lifted back.
They quickly shuffled out the vault and sealed it, where Ragnok also put an extra charm on it. "That'll tell us if anyone goes in without my approval." Harry nodded his approval and they set back off towards the cart. They said goodbye to Tayzze, who gave a friendly growl to them along with a head bop. Ragnok shook his head, amazed at what they had done for the dragon.
Safely back in the office, they looked at the cup in front of them. "How many more of these are there?" Hermione looked up "Two – an unknown, most likely to do with Ravenclaw, and Nagini, who is with him all the time. We can't go after Nagini without alerting Voldemort, but we can try to find the Ravenclaw item." Ragnok nodded and watched as Hermione placed it in her bag. "Well, the Goblin Nation owes the two of you a debt. I will do what I can to arrange that meeting."
Harry nodded "Thank you. Also, would it be possible to work out some other kind of security arrangement instead of Tayzze? Tayzze is the name of the dragon" Harry added at the confused looks he got from Ragnok and Griphook. "I can see what I can do – no guarantees on that either" Harry nodded – that was the best they could get at the moment.
They quickly left and moved back to Grimmauld Place where Sirius was nervously waiting. "Well? Did you get it?" Harry gave him a grin "We have" Sirius cheered and wrapped them in a hug "Well done! That'll be a kick in the ass for old Voldie" Hermione snickered "That and we left replicas that'll fool him. He'll think they're safe until we show him they're destroyed" The three of them shared a laugh.
A thought suddenly occurred to Harry "The Lestranges will need a new account manager" Ragnok nodded "Will they be told about this?" Ragnok smiled, all teeth "We have told the account manager. It's not our problem he's not able to get the notification. Any new manager doesn't need to know what we did with the vault in the previous manager's tenure."
DMLE, Ministry of Magic
Amelia Bones was reading through the various reports that made it onto her desk. She was already annoyed at how Fudge and Umbridge were steamrolling the Ministry and that the budget had been cut again. She stopped at the next report she looked at. It was a report that showed that a vault manager of Gringotts had been hurt in the muggle world and was currently hospitalized. Even though it was an accident, if any wizarding member was injured in the muggle world a report was written up.
As she was reading through it, her 'Auror' sense seemed to go off. Nothing about the report was wrong, or seemed to say anything other than it was an accident, but something just didn't seem right. She got up and apparated to near the London Stock Exchange. She moved to where the accident happened. Thanks to magic, she cast a notice-me-not charm and got into the scene. The police were wrapping up their investigation, but she could still see what had happened.
Amelia wasn't the head of the DMLE just because she was a woman. She had worked hard and fought harder. She had solved cases that others had passed or found too difficult. She was efficient but didn't give in to the bribery and backstabbing. She had gotten the job before Fudge had become Minister, and as much as he didn't like her he couldn't get rid of her.
It was because of who she was that when she turned to walk away she stopped and turned to look at the lamp. It hadn't been repaired and she could see some of the damage. She frowned – she didn't know why, but something about the lamp seemed wrong. She discreetly cast a detection spell which told her no magic had been cast except for on a brick nearby, which was a cleaning spell and a spell that seemed simple but she couldn't recognise. She then turned and asked one of the policemen where the man had been taken.
That lead to her being in Kings College Hospital in the A&E. She had questioned the medical staff and looked at the medical charts. She made a copy of them for the file. All the trauma he had suffered appeared to be responsible for his condition, with no magical residue on his body. She stayed for a while before heading back to the Ministry.
An hour later, Rufus Scrimgeour walked into her office after being summoned. "Amelia. What's the problem?" She indicated to the seat, and slid the file across the table. Rufus raised an eyebrow. "Read it. Tell me what you think." Rufus opened the file and spent ten minutes reading it. When he finished he put it down and looked back at her. "Looks to me like it was an accident." Amelia nodded. "That's what I thought. And yet…." He nodded "You're getting the feeling it's not an accident"
Amelia sighed and leaned back. "There's no proof that it's not an accident. No magic was used on him or the lamp, just a brick nearby. And yet, something about the lamp seemed …. Wrong. I want you to keep a track of this. Tell no one else you're doing it. Maybe I'm wrong" Rufus nodded "You've not been wrong yet. I'll work on this when I can" with that he got up and walked out the door.
Amelia had a feeling that things were going to change. Her mind went back to something else that stood out. She had discovered that Umbridge had been in the Improper Use of Magic office a few nights ago, and had immediately gone to Azkaban afterwards. Again, something that set off her Auror Sense. She would have to keep an eye on things.
Voldemort
Voldemort was looking over the finance files that various Death Eaters had provided of their holdings. He was happy now that the connection to the Potter brat had been re-established. Sending him those 'dreams' of the Department of Mysteries would mean that the boy would eventually find out and go to see what was there. It would take time, that was certain, but he had plenty of time. The imbecile Fudge was making it easier for the boy to be isolated, so that when he killed the boy no one would really care.
Lucius had done a good job of gaining influence and power in the years he had been gone. Of course, he was angry that he had not come to find him and bring him back to glory. However, he now had the ear of the Minister himself, and was able to implement and prevent bills from passing through the Wizengamot.
He planned on breaking out his loyal Death Eaters from Azkaban and recruiting the Dementors, all under the ruse of Sirius Black who had yet to be found but was undoubtedly in England. Soon, he will have the prophecy, kill the boy and establish a ministry that would fit his agenda. Then, he would move onto the rest of the world.
The only vault he didn't have info on was the Lestrange vault, but that wasn't surprising since they were in prison and he had no idea who the account manager was – and it wasn't like he was going to go and find him. This all depended on not being discovered.
He smiled – everything was going to plan.
Minister's Office, Ministry of Magic
Delores was sat at her desk, looking at the Educational Decree in her hand along with the Hogwarts Professor Acceptance Letter. Cornelius – No, Minister Fudge – had the right idea. They needed to control what was taught in Hogwarts so that the students who graduated were perfect people to join the Ministry and not ask questions like Weatherby. It also meant that they could stamp out the dissent that the Potter boy and Dumbledore were spouting.
Delores smiled. Yes, the Dementor plan had fallen through, but she would destroy the boy at Hogwarts. And, if he was to have an accident during the year, well, she would pretend to mourn like everyone else.
Grimmauld Place
It was the week before they got on the Hogwarts Express. Their letters had arrived and, like last time, both Hermione and Ron had gotten Prefect. Ron was surprised, not only because he got Prefect, but because both Harry and Hermione were genuinely happy for him. They had told him that they were looking to date each other, and he had surprised himself when he had congratulated them, telling them not to leave him alone all the time.
Harry was watching Ron fly around on the new Cleensweep that Mrs Weasley had gotten for him. He was happy that Ron had gotten the badge, both because he deserved some recognition but also that it was a step towards making sure that Ron didn't betray them.
Maddie had also contacted them to say she was going to be on the Hogwarts Express, and that they should introduce her to everyone as someone he met over the holidays while staying at Privet Drive. While that wouldn't really fool the Order, they would only really be introducing her to the other students who wouldn't know, and they would be talking to Dumbledore anyway.
"Hey pup" Harry turned to find Sirius walking over and moved so he could sit down. "It's just we're going back tomorrow, and it's that I know what's coming. That, and this picture" He held up the picture that Mad-eye had shown him of the original Order of the Phoenix. "We came back with all of our possessions that we had, and I didn't have much. Now I have this again, and it's a reminder of not only what we could save but how badly we failed."
Sirius nodded "Perhaps you should focus on that you can save as many people as possible, and take what happened as a learning curve." Harry nodded. He then frowned and looked at Sirius, who was staring ahead pointedly. Harry conjured a mirror and looked at his reflection, where his hair was bright green and he had spots on his face that were changing colour. He laughed and got rid of the mirror.
"How did you manage that?" Sirius turned towards him "I had nothing to do with that." Harry raised an eyebrow "Ok, I did, but that's the sign of a Marauder – your victim has no idea that you've done it, and when they do realise you make sure that they don't catch you." Harry chuckled and leaned into Sirius, who wrapped his arm around him.
The next day
Harry and Hermione stumbled off the Knight bus at Kings Cross. Harry could hear Hermione muttering darkly about "the stupid bus" and "reckless driving" and "how the feck can he even see?" Harry chuckled as they all moved through the brick wall and emerged next to the Express. To see it again took his breath away, and he felt Hermione grab his hand, feeling exactly the same.
Saying good-bye to the Order members and a Grim, Hermione and Ron set off towards the Prefect carriage while Harry set off down the train. He knew where he wanted to go, and picked up Ginny and Neville along the way. Soon he reached the last carriage and opened the door to find Luna and Maddie.
Luna looked exactly as she had the last time – straggly waist length hair, large eyes that had a dreamy look and she was reading an upside down Quibbler. Her wand was stuck behind her ear and she had the Butterbeer cork necklace around her neck. Harry was genuinely happy to see her. His eyes drifted to look at Maddie.
Maddie was hanging upside down from the luggage rack above Luna, with her head resting on Luna's and she appeared to be reading the Quibbler as well. She was wearing the Hogwarts uniform which had no house colours on it, but the shirt had lifted up to reveal her mid-drift. She looked a lot different as a fifteen year old, slimmer and her face was more childish, but she still had the shoulder-length blonde hair with the multi-coloured tips. She reached down and turned the page backwards, but if Luna cared she didn't mention anything.
Harry turned to find Ginny and Neville standing there staring at the strange – well, stranger than normal sight for the two. They moved in and sat down. Ginny turned to them both "Harry, Neville, this is Luna Lovegood. Luna, this is Neville Longbottom and – "
"Harry Potter. I know who you are. You're interesting. So are you Neville, but in a different way." She looked back down at the Quibbler. Harry and Neville shared a look. Harry looked back at the hanging two. "Ginny, Neville, meet Maddie Smith. Maddie, this is Neville and Ginny. Obviously you've met Luna."
Maddie looked up, her now hazel eyes looking at them all. "Nice to meet you." She held her hand out to Ginny and Neville, shaking them, and then held her hand out to Luna. When she got Lunas, she twisted it and kissed it, causing Luna to giggle. Harry raised an eyebrow at Maddie, who gave him a small wink.
The train set off and the cabin fell into a comfortable silence, with occasional conversation. Ginny and Neville quickly grew to like Maddie, who cracked a few jokes but also could hold a serious conversation. It wasn't long before Ron and Hermione arrived back.
"You won't believe it! Malfoy made prefect!" Ron snarled as he flopped down on the seat, grabbing a chocolate frog. Hermione told them all who the rest of the prefects were before Ron even noticed the odd duo in the corner. "Um, who are you?"
Maddie looked up and smiled, holding her hand out. "I'm Maddie Smith. I've heard and read a lot of good things about you from Harry and Hermione" Ron frowned "Read?" Maddie nodded "Yeah, in some books. You'll be surprised what people know about you." Ron looked at Harry, who gave a shrug. At this point, he had given up on trying to fully understand her. Maddie gracefully slid out of the rack onto Harry's lap, turning so that she had her legs crossed in his lap and her head in Lunas so that she could still read the Quibbler. Hermione leaned against Harry and grabbed a book out while Ginny and Neville were studying his new plant.
About a couple of hours into the trip the door opened, and Harry looked up into the face of someone who he really didn't want to – Malfoy and his goons. He was exactly as he remembered – the hair slicked back, his chin very pointed and his grey eyes glittering. "Well, if it isn't the Potty crew. Clearly this is where they dump the zoo." Crabbe and Goyle guffawed behind him.
"Malfoy – heard you made Prefect" Harry said, not looking for a confrontation. Malfoy sneered "Yes I did Potter, unlike you. So you better watch your mouth and your step, because I can hand out punishments." He stopped when Maddie twisted and got up to face him. Harry looked at Hermione, and they both palmed their wands.
Malfoy took a step back as Maddie had gotten right in his face. "Who the hell are you?" Maddie cocked her head and then stuck her hand out. "Maddie Smith – thought I'd say hello and make an impression on one of my new prefects" Malfoy puffed his chest out at what he thought was someone sucking up to him, but both Harry and Hermione knew better. When he grabbed Maddie's hand, she twisted it and dragged him closer to her.
"Annoy me, and I'll kill you" she stepped back, smiling and still holding his hand and then pushed. Malfoy flew back and took the two goons with him, and as he looked up Maddie waved her hand and shut the door. She then turned around and climbed onto Harry and Hermione laps, turned so she was facing Harry's stomach and snuggled in.
The only person not staring at her was Luna, who hadn't looked away from the Quibbler. "Well, that was …. something" Ginny muttered. Harry and Hermione exchanged a glance – it was definitely going to be an interesting year.
The rest of the trip went without event, and soon they were getting off and heading to the carriage. Hermione stopped and took in the sight of the Thestrals. She felt a hand slip into hers. "Don't worry – I can see them too." Luna then moved forward, dragging Hermione. Harry chuckled as Maddie walked next to him. "You know; this year should be interesting." Harry laughed and grabbed her hand, setting off towards the carriage.
The breath seemed to leave them all when Hogwarts came into view – they hadn't seen the castle for years, and it was good to see it as it was before it all went downhill. Once they arrived at the castle, Maddie moved off to join the first years as the group, minus Luna who skipped off to the Ravenclaw table, moved to the Gryffindor table. Harry looked up at the staff table to see Dumbledore. He wasn't looking at Harry, but still the sight of him made Harry happy. He also saw Umbridge was sat there, and he nudged Hermione, who when she saw her grinned.
The first years and Maddie walked in, and even Maddie appeared to be fascinated by the roof (though, being somewhat of an academic, that made sense). Once her name was called, she walked up and placed the hat on her head.
"Well, this is interesting. It's a pleasure to meet you again Maddie."
Maddie grinned "You too. This time, however, I'm here as a student."
The hat grunted "Yes. I can see why – the quest you and Mr Potter and Miss Granger have come back to complete is important. Would you like me to place you in the same house as them?"
"If you could"
"Very well. You would be well suited in GRYFFINDOR!"
The hall broke out in polite applause as Maddie skipped down the table to where they were sat. The feast and the toads speech was identical to how it was before, and soon they found themselves in the Gryffindor tower. They moved off to bed quickly, and Harry laid down. He was soon interrupted when a portal opened and two figures crawled through.
Both Hermione and Maddie were wearing shorts and two of his T-shirts that he hadn't been aware he was missing. They snuggled up, one on each side. "Hmm, I missed this" Maddie said as she wrapped her arm around Harry and buried it in Hermione's hair.
Harry chuckled before quickly falling asleep. She was right – they had missed being together.